CITIZENS NEWS

FEMA under scrutiny as Trump establishes council to review agency’s political bias and inefficiency

By isabelle // 2025-01-27

• President Trump signed an executive order establishing a council to review FEMA’s performance after its poor response to Hurricane Helene.
• The council will evaluate FEMA’s efficacy, priorities, and competence, with a report due within 180 days.
• Allegations of political bias include FEMA officials instructing employees to avoid helping homeowners with Trump campaign signs.
• FEMA is accused of misusing funds, including over $1 billion spent on programs for incoming migrants instead of disaster relief.
• North Carolina continues to struggle with Hurricane Helene recovery, with thousands still displaced and debris cleanup only halfway complete.

President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Sunday establishing a review council to evaluate the performance of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The decision comes after FEMA’s widely criticized response to Hurricane Helene, which devastated North Carolina in September, and amid allegations of political bias and misuse of funds. The council, composed of federal leaders and outside experts, will hold its first public meeting within 90 days and deliver a report to the president within 180 days. Trump’s announcement follows his recent visit to disaster-stricken areas in North Carolina, where he vowed to overhaul or even eliminate FEMA, calling the agency “not good” and accusing it of failing vulnerable Americans. The president’s executive order highlights “serious concerns” of political bias within FEMA, including allegations that agency officials instructed employees to avoid helping homeowners displaying Trump campaign signs in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene.

Allegations of political bias and misused funds

The executive order cites evidence of FEMA’s mismanagement and political discrimination, including reports that agency funds were diverted to programs supporting incoming migrants rather than disaster relief. Trump emphasized that FEMA has “lost mission focus,” spending over $1 billion on non-disaster-related initiatives while leaving disaster victims without critical resources. One of the most shocking allegations involves a FEMA supervisor, Marn’i D. Washington, who was terminated after whistleblowers revealed she instructed employees to skip homes with Trump signs or flags. Washington claimed she was acting on guidance from higher-ups, and other FEMA officials corroborated her account, describing the practice as an “open secret” within the agency. House Committee on Oversight and Accountability Chairman James Comer and other lawmakers have called for a full investigation into FEMA’s conduct. America First Legal has launched its own investigation into the agency.

North Carolina’s ongoing struggle

More than 120 days after Hurricane Helene, North Carolina is still grappling with the storm’s aftermath. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports that only half of the debris has been cleared, and thousands of families remain in hotels paid for by FEMA’s Transitional Housing Assistance program. During his visit to the state, Trump promised to “do a good job” for North Carolina, vowing to expedite recovery efforts and ensure accountability. The president also suggested that states should take a larger role in disaster response, arguing that local governments are better equipped to handle emergencies. “I prefer that states be given federal money to handle disasters themselves,” Trump said, criticizing FEMA’s bureaucratic inefficiencies. The newly established FEMA Review Council, co-chaired by the secretaries of Homeland Security and Defense, will assess the agency’s efficacy, priorities, and competence. The council’s recommendations could lead to significant structural changes or even the agency’s dissolution. “Americans deserve an immediate, effective, and impartial response to and recovery from disasters,” the executive order states. “FEMA therefore requires a full-scale review by individuals highly experienced at effective disaster response and recovery.” As the review process begins, the stakes are high for FEMA and the communities it serves. For North Carolinians still recovering from Hurricane Helene, the council’s findings could mean the difference between continued neglect and much-needed reform. President Trump’s executive order marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing debate over FEMA’s role and effectiveness. With allegations of political bias, mismanagement, and misuse of funds, the agency faces a reckoning that could reshape disaster response in the United States. As the FEMA Review Council begins its work, Americans will be watching closely to see whether this effort delivers the accountability and efficiency they deserve in times of crisis.     Sources for this article include: Reuters.com 100PercentFedUp.com X.com FoxNews.com AFLegal.org

disaster Trump North Carolina FEMA money supply bias progress outrage Hurricane Helene big governmet